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So, Christian, without delving into Allan's phrasing, which of course is important because it affects how the lines will be fingered, I would normally stick to standard scale fingerings. Will this not work?
Take this line....
Allan Holdsworth line (diminished)
D7b9 GM7
Fingering:
---- 3 - 4 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 3
e|----- 16----------------11------------------------------------------------------|
B|--15----13--15----------------------------12---------------------------------|
G|--------------------14------13--14--10------------10-------11-------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------13-------10--------9--------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------12---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Diminished scale:
e|--16--14--13--11----------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------15--13--12------------------------------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------------14--13--11--10---------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------13--12--10--9-------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12--11---|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
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03-29-2024 04:42 AM
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OK so my phone really doesn't like the formatting of the tab. I had to read this on a computer...
Originally Posted by Mick-7
So it depends on how much you want to sound like him. But if you do, the fingerings are really a trip.
Take a look at Allan playing live, obviously, pay attention to how he used his left hand.
Take this line....
Allan Holdsworth line (diminished)
D7b9 GM7
Fingering:
---- 3 - 4 - 2 - 4 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 4 - 1 - 2 - 3 - 1 - 1 - 2 - 1 - 3
e|----- 16----------------11------------------------------------------------------|
B|--15----13--15----------------------------12---------------------------------|
G|--------------------14------13--14--10------------10-------11-------------|
D|---------------------------------------------------13-------10--------9--------|
A|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------12---|
E|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
Diminished scale:
e|--16--14--13--11----------------------------------------------------------------------|
B|------------------------15--13--12------------------------------------------------------|
G|----------------------------------------14--13--11--10---------------------------------|
D|--------------------------------------------------------------13--12--10--9-------------|
A|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------12--11---|
E|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
The thing is, the 4nps fingering I posted is EASY once you have the shape dialled in. It's not problem to play. More importantly, it seems to reflect the sound of how Allan plays it.
Importantly because of the properties of standard tuning the 3nps dim shape that several of these lines are based on doesn't require any shifts. This means it's very easy to play FAST. That's another reason why I would die on the hill of it being in that position.
Your fingering looks pretty awkward tbh. I wouldn't like to pick that haha. I suppose possibly you can manage those single notes on a string with left hand hammers?
Important - bear in mind that these really aren't crazy stretches they might seem to be. You can play a lot of this stuff with a hand position similar to a 3nps scale at 3rd fret. Allan will consistently choose higher positions for this reason. Frets are closer together innit.
This is where I'm basing my approach for fingerings in the transcriptions, If you want to gain an insight into the mechanics of Allan's technique this video is invaluable. 5 hours of your time well spent if you are a fan.
If you are pushed for time here is my 1 minute YouTube short discussing the diminished pattern fingering. I think it's also discussed in the bowels of the 5hr vid somewhere. (Edit: It’s at 2:38:49 there’s a timestamp in the description.)
Crazy lines with this Holdsworth Diminished shape - YouTube
Attached are the City Nights fingerings. Allan wasn't afraid to stretch.Last edited by Christian Miller; 03-29-2024 at 05:55 AM.
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I definitely shift this way, which I’m 99.9% certain it’s an artifact of all the classical I played.
Then again Holdsworth is not my wheelhouse … I’m out here transcribing Clifford Brown like a chump.
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Originally Posted by pauln
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Originally Posted by Christian Miller
Vertical scale positions commonly encompass two standard "CAGED" positions, so a five fret finger span from 1st to 4th finger is the usual, but I wouldn't normally slide with the 4th finger. The diminished scale lends itself to that though with it's whole/half step movements.
Aren't virtuoso's irritating?
Probably best to take this conversation to one of your other threads, thank you.
Chief Xian aTunde Adjuah (Christian Scott)
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